Over the period of the last five years, there have been 633 mortalities of Indian students studying overseas due to numerous mishaps including natural diseases, accidents, and other ailments.The physical security and safety of the Indian students studying in other countries have remained a major challenge for the Indian government and hence it ordered Indian missions and posts to stay in touch with the interested students all the time.
Fatalities and Incidents:
- Fatalities: Lalit Kumar Singh/TNN recorded in the Lok Sabha that Canada recorded the most fatal cases of lynching at 172, while 108 in the US, 58 in UK, 57 in Australia, and 37 in Russia. Other countries with the Indian students’ deaths are Ukraine 18, Germany 24, Georgia 12, Kyrgyzstan 12, Cyprus 12, and People’s Republic of China 8.
- Attacks and Terror Events: Besides, 19 Indian students were killed in other countries because of attacks and terror events. Currently, Minister of State for External Affairs Kirti Vardhan Singh said that these statistics proved that Indian families have also lost their beloved ones. This is independent of the recent unfortunate incidence of suspected drowning of an Indian student in Riga, Latvia. Albin Shinto, a boy from Kerala was with friends in the Jugla canal on 18 July when the unfortunate incident happened. The family of Shinto was informed immediately by the Embassy of India in Sweden and Latvia and they were assured and invited to use every possible support in this tragic situation.
Government Response and Measures:
- Consular Support: In a detailed written response, the Minister elaborated that 48 Indian students were expelled from the United States in the past three years; there are no official records about the deportation reasons provided by the US authorities.
- Deportations:These incidents shed light on the different hazards and factors that Indian students go through when pursuing their education overseas and underscore the necessity of implementing prophylactic measures and enforcement to safeguard the students’ safety and welfare. Also, these are the concerns that cause suspense for deportation include unlawful attaining of employment, dropping from a course without permission, suspension or expulsion from school, and failure to report employment associated with optional practical training, the violation of which cancels a student visa which in turn makes him or her unlawful in the country and thus likely to be deported.
- Safety Measures: At this time, it is clear that the Indian government is still very much concerned with the safety of the students that are studying in foreign countries; it also shows that there is a need for securing and preventing such a sad incidence through implementing strict security measures as well as go for early intervention.
- Preventive Actions: These measures entail the sustenance of engagement with such academic circles as schools and universities to ensure their timely correspondence and consular support, and passing of requisite security information touching on every Indian students and families. Thus, the practices of establishing a safer environment and aforesaid avoidance of possible threats would promote the protection of dreams and lives of Indian students as overseas learners.
Conclusion:
The safety and security of Indian students abroad remain a top priority for the Indian government, necessitating continuous efforts to improve safety protocols, enhance consular services, and strengthen partnerships with host countries and local stakeholders. These efforts aim not only to respond effectively to crises but also to prevent potential threats and ensure a supportive environment for Indian students pursuing their educational aspirations abroad.
